Sad to see South Korea's decline in number of units.
In 1999, 105 Wards, 70 Branches, 175 Units Total In 2019, 61 Wards, 40 Branches, 101 Units Total
Currently half of the meetinghouses in Seoul sit empty without an unit meeting in the building. Some say, it's to provide "centers of strength". I wonder if a hybrid approach would work, where smaller groups or branches meet at the nearby building, and then once a month, or every other week, combine together with the larger regional ward. That way, members who can't travel an extra 30-45 minutes to church can at least attend locally more often. It also allows missionaries to teach English Classes in all the buildings (which is usually the best finding tool for investigators), and provide nearby places for missionaries to teach investigators. It also gives the Church an active community presence.
I wonder if a high Christian converting Korea generally has had decreases in church activity in its culture across the board. Interesting people, for sure. I hope that they grow closer to the Lord.
The problem I have heard and tend to believe, is that a lot of active members in South Korea are more serious, rigid, and introverted than the general public. This creates in an environment where extroverts, less actives, and investigators feel excluded and not welcomed at church.
I experienced the same dynamic in Japan on my mission.
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ReplyDeleteSad to see South Korea's decline in number of units.
ReplyDeleteIn 1999, 105 Wards, 70 Branches, 175 Units Total
In 2019, 61 Wards, 40 Branches, 101 Units Total
Currently half of the meetinghouses in Seoul sit empty without an unit meeting in the building. Some say, it's to provide "centers of strength". I wonder if a hybrid approach would work, where smaller groups or branches meet at the nearby building, and then once a month, or every other week, combine together with the larger regional ward. That way, members who can't travel an extra 30-45 minutes to church can at least attend locally more often. It also allows missionaries to teach English Classes in all the buildings (which is usually the best finding tool for investigators), and provide nearby places for missionaries to teach investigators. It also gives the Church an active community presence.
I wonder if a high Christian converting Korea generally has had decreases in church activity in its culture across the board. Interesting people, for sure. I hope that they grow closer to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have heard and tend to believe, is that a lot of active members in South Korea are more serious, rigid, and introverted than the general public. This creates in an environment where extroverts, less actives, and investigators feel excluded and not welcomed at church.
ReplyDeleteI experienced the same dynamic in Japan on my mission.
Wonder why Macau lost half its members for two years, then gained them right back?
ReplyDelete